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Solitary shark attack in Como region: Nibali Wins ‘Il Lombardia’

04/10/2015

Un monumentale Vincenzo Nibali trionfa al Lombardia 2015

The Sicilian Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) today became the first Italian since 2008 to win Il Lombardia

Watched by huge and passionate crowds, especially on the climbs at Madonna del Ghisallo and Colma del Sormano, the Sicilian Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team), nicknamed the Shark of Messina, today became the first Italian since 2008 to win Il Lombardia, organised by RCS Sport/La Gazzetta dello Sport. After attacking on the descent from Civiglio, Nibali rode the final kilometres alone to cross the finish line 21 seconds ahead of Spain’s Daniel Moreno (Team Katusha) and 32 seconds ahead of the Frenchman Thibaut Pinot (FDJ).

 

FINAL RESULT

1 – Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) in 6h16’28” average 39.047 km/h

2 – Daniel Moreno (Team Katusha) at 21″

3 – Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) at 32″

 

Press conference declarations

Home roads: I knew the roads very well because I often train around Sormano, San Fermo and the villages near Lugano. That made it even nicer to win today. On Friday I reconned the race route to study the new race finish, with the innovation of the Civiglio climb followed by San Fermo. I liked the idea of a long range attack, because it was a very hard finish which did not suit the really light climbers. I carefully measured the distance from the Civiglio to the finish line, with the descent and then the valley road to the foot of San Fermo. I checked how far apart the climbs were, because I knew that the Civiglio could be the crux of the race.

 

The art of descending: I can’t explain how I descend the way I do. You either have it or you don’t, I think, although, as a descender, Sagan is even crazier than I am: at least I try to keep a margin for error. Everyone knew that I wanted a result today, which meant that I was very closely marked on the way up the Civiglio. We all had the same number of kilometres in our legs, and it wasn’t easy to invent a race-winning move, but I managed to come up with something at the top of the descent. I was kept constantly aware of what was happening behind me. I built a good lead and I knew the reaction from the chasing group would be strong, but I rode at a very even pace and, once I reached at the top of San Fermo, the ride into Como seemed to go by in a moment.

 

An ambition fulfilled: I have always wanted to win a big one-day classic, and I’ve come close in the past. I’ve always been competitive in one-day races although, since I started concentrating on three-week tours, I’ve lost some of my acceleration. But when there are very hard climbs, like today, it’s easier for a climber like me, and finally to take the win here means a lot to me. I’ve often had good form here, only for a fall or a bit of bad luck to intervene. But now I have won, and I’ve always said that a win in Il Lombardia is worth a Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

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